Modular Bra

ABSTRACT

A modular garment including a strapless bra and/or a bralette is disclosed to provide comfortable and interchangeable support configurations. Side bands of the bralette may connect to side bands of the strapless bra, or to an adaptor when the bralette is worn without the bra. When worn together, the front surfaces of the bra and bralette are held flush by magnet pairs complimentarily disposed around the bra and bralette cups.

I. BACKGROUND A. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to brassieres (i.e., bra) and, in particular to a new and useful modular bra and combination.

B. Description of the Related Art

Brassieres are common undergarments typically used to support, lift and or conceal the chest area of an individual, and are traditionally available in the predominant styles referred to as strap or strapless.

A strapless bra is well-known, and generally consists of a strip of material having a front portion that traverses a person's torso, that is shaped and sized to conceal, accommodate and or support breasts by means commonly referred to as cups. The strip of material typically extends about the back of a wearer where opposed, fastening ends connect, ensuring the bra remains in place.

A strapless bra is typically used when a wearer desires to have the region around the shoulder exposed. There are drawbacks associated with a strapless bra which are attributable to the directional force of the support, which is primarily horizontal. In particular, due to the planar limitation of a strapless bra about a chest, disproportionate tension is required to minimize the amount of displacement of the bra—tension of which is dictated by gravity, bust size, and constant fluctuations in a wearer's torso due to breathing, causing the bra to require adjustment. Further, due to limitations of the direction support, adequacy of a strapless bra commonly diminishes as the bust size and or cup size increases.

A strap bra is essentially a strapless bra with an addition of at least one extra support band or strap that connects the front portion of a bra, about each cup, to part of the bra located about the back of a wearer when fastening ends are connected. Because a bra with straps has a supplementary directional pull that is vertical, or lifts towards the shoulders, in additional to the generally horizontal pull of a strapless style bra, a bra with straps requires less horizontal tension. As a result, a strap bra may be more desirable than a strapless bra when maximum lift, support or comfort is desired and typically requires less adjustment and attention.

A common drawback to a strap bra is when a wearer is in a strapless dress or gown, in which case, it may be considered unfashionable or unkempt to show straps. As a result, an individual may be compelled to wear a strapless bra in certain instances. It is also not uncommon for a wearer to change in and out of a strapless bra to a strap bra to lessen the time of discomfort. This typically requires an individual to completely remove the bras and store the one not being worn at the time.

Alternatively, some strapless bras have an option to add or remove straps. This alternative however is not a sufficient substitute for a bra with straps, particularly because the strapless style is not designed for vertical force about the cups and or is insufficient when compared to a bra with straps, particularly for individuals who require more support. Additionally, it is not uncommon for some wearers to have a strap bra over a strapless bra, however the bras do not layer well, the fastening ends protrude and or catch, and the excessive bulk of duplicative cup and bra material is unsightly and uncomfortable.

There is a need in the undergarment industry to provide a brassiere that may be easily converted from a bra with straps to a strapless style bra without having to remove the entire garment, and that is aesthetically pleasing, simple, and provides support as required and comfort as desired.

II. SUMMARY

The instant invention relates to a strap bra, referred to herein as bralette, that is designed to relesably connect to a strapless bra and avoid the need to completely remove the strapless bra in order to have the look, feel, comfort, support and benefits associated with a strap bra.

In an embodiment, the bralette consists of a minimal amount of parts complimentary to the underlying strapless bra and or a minimal amount of material that may be less dense than the underlying material, thereby minimizing and or reducing bulk while maximizing support and aesthetics.

In an embodiment, the bralette consists of material that traverses and or covers a portion of the front (i.e., surface) of the strapless bra and releasably connects by use of complimentary magnets disposed within the bralette and within the strapless bra.

In an embodiment, bralette straps extend vertically, over a wearer's shoulder, from a cup region of the bralette and relesably connect to bralette bands that extend horizontally from the cup area of the bralette, bands of which may have fasteners that relesably connect to corresponding anchors about ends of the strapless bra bands.

In an embodiment, the bralette is designed such that it may be sized and shaped to be as functional as a typical brassiere and may be used without the strapless bra. In such an embodiment, bands extending horizontally from the cup area of the bralette may alternatively connect to the opposing bralette band. An adjustable adapter may be provided to connect fastening ends of the bralette together.

In an embodiment of the invention, the bralette may be interchangeable such that other bralettes may connect to an underlying strapless bra such that a wearer may have multiple options and styles of bra combinations, achievable merely by changing the bralette but using the same strapless bra.

It is an embodiment of the invention that the strapless bra and bralette have seamless connection, which the inventors have determined include the addition of connectivity means such as magnets disposed below the surface of each allowing for the bras to connect and disconnect with relative ease. And, because the connection means are located below the surface, there is no instance of damage or poor aesthetics caused by exposed connectors.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, some embodiments of which will be described in the specification and illustrated in accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, wherein, when referring to the drawings, the inventor identifies the following components thereto,

FIG. 1 is a front view of a brassiere that is strapless as according to an embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the brassiere in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a brassiere that has straps as according to an embodiment of the instant invention, referred to as bralette.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the brassiere in FIG. 3, which as shown has an adapter interposed to connect fastening ends of the bralette together.

FIG. 4A is an embodiment of an adapter shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is front view of an embodiment of the instant invention when the brassiere of FIG. 3 is combined with the brassiere of FIG. 1. The circles in broken lines show location of connecting means according to an embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of the instant invention as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a bra according to the instant invention showing an embodiment of the location of connecting means as indicated by circles, namely magnets located below a surface.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a bralette according to the instant invention showing an embodiment of the location of connecting means as indicated by circles, namely magnets located below a surface.

FIG. 9 is the cross-section identified in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is the cross-section identified in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a summary, 3-step view from left to right showing an embodiment of connecting means, namely magnets prepped for attachment to a brassiere according to an embodiment of the instant invention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following invention is for a modular brassiere that provides for combinations and methods of use whereby a strapless bra is combinable with a bralette to improve support, improve aesthetics and functionality, whereby the bralette easily connects and disconnects to the strapless bra bands and or surface.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a brassiere that is strapless 10. The strapless bra 10 essentially comprises a front portion 5 that traverses a torso of an individual and is primarily used to conceal and or support the bust, and or chest area of an individual, and typically consists of two symmetrical regions, commonly referred to as cups 15, interconnected by a center gore 16. Disposed about the outer perimeter of cups 15 is optional support means, commonly referred to as underwire 20. Underwire 20 is typically used when cups 15 are of a size and or dimension that necessitate additional support of the bust. In general, the larger the bust, the larger the cup 15 and the greater need for additional support.

Extending distal from the front 5 of bra 10 are side bands 25, which extend around the back of a wearer a distance a and have fasteners generally disposed about band 25 at end 35 and consists of complimentary fasteners that connect to the opposing end 35 of opposing band 25 about l (fasteners not shown, but of which are commonly known in the industry and field). FIG. 2 shows a rear image of an embodiment of a strapless bra according to the instant invention, showing the ends 35 connected, which is a typical way a strapless bra connects. As shown in FIG. 2 however, the bra 10 includes the addition of anchors 30, which are generally disposed about bands 25, and as shown are near ends 35, although they may be located anywhere along the bands 25. In an embodiment anchors 30 may be material formed in a hoop shape that is shaped and sized to accept a hook styled fastener, although other types of anchors known in the art may be used, such as a hook or loop style material (such as sold by Velcro Industries), a half of a snap, a button or a button hole, etc.

In an embodiment, anchor 30 is a loop of grosgrain twill tape inserted between a hook and eye fastener and a mesh back wing material and secured with a zz stitch. It is within the scope of the invention that anchors 30 may be disposed at an outer surface of band 25 (inner and outer surfaces defined as when worn by an individual) between the area l and origin of the band 25 towards the front 5 at O. Anchors 30 are to be more fully explained herein, but are disclosed to relesably connect to the bralette, and particularly bralette bands 65 described below, thereby reducing the horizontal tension required for the strapless bra, and improving overall comfort.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a bra with straps 40 according to an embodiment of the instant invention, and referred to as a bralette. The bralette 40 has a front portion 60 which traverses an individual's torso and is used to conceal, support and or cover the chest of an individual, and includes cups 50 (with the same purpose as 15) interconnected at a gore 51, and an optional underwire support 45 (with the same purpose as 20), and straps 55 which may be of variable lengths based on use of adjuster 150. Bands 65 extend from the front of the bralette and have anchors 70 disposed thereon to connect to fasteners 80 located on straps 55. Like anchors 30, anchors 70 may be of a hoop shape which is capable of being connected to fasteners 80 that may for example be in the form of a hook as shown.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of bra 40 as shown in FIG. 3. Bands 65 have fasteners 75 about each end used to connect to corresponding anchors 30 of strapless bra 10 when the two are worn together (see FIG. 6). It is an embodiment of the invention that bra 40 may be worn without a strapless bra. In this embodiment, an adapter 90 may be provided to serve as means to connect fasteners 75, which can hook into hoop, i.e., anchor as shown in the adapter 90 as 91 (see FIG. 4a ). As understood, the adapter 90 is adjustable in length and has loops or other type of fastener disposed at each end 91 to connect to fastener 75 located about each end of bands 65. While the embodiment as shown provides that bands 65 are a fixed length, it is within the scope of the invention that at least one band 65 may have an adjustable length and the fasteners 75 may directly connect to each.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a bralette 40 according to the instant invention worn over the strapless bra 10. As shown bralette 40 fits complimentarily over the strapless bra 10. The bralette 40 is specifically designed so that it has a shape complimentary to the strapless bra 10, including for example, the position of the underwire 20 and 40, lying about adjacent to each in an embodiment to optimize comfort and appearance. As shown, the material of the bralette 40 allows the strapless bra 10 to be visible, although it may be opaque in other embodiments. In an embodiment of the invention, there is minimal material of the bralette 40. As shown, material of the bralette 40 is of minimal density, but maximum strength. The inventors of the instant invention have discovered that use of a meshed material provides intended results by reducing bulk, is aesthetically pleasing, and has sufficient strength to provide necessary support and resistance to wear and breakage. As a result, it is an embodiment of the invention that the bralette 40 may be alternatively used as means of support on its own as previously discussed (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment in FIG. 5. As shown, bands 65 of bralette 40 have fasteners 75 at ends, disclosed as hooks, which attach to hooped anchors 30 located on bands 25. While the width of anchors 30 are shown as a fraction of the width of bands 25, and located at the bottom thereof, it is within the scope of the invention that the width of anchors 30 may be located at the top of band 25 and or have a width that is about equal to the width of the area of the band 25 where the anchors 30 attach to the band 25, for example so that the rear of the strapless bra 10 is covered. The inventors have discovered that the location of the anchors 30 and corresponding fasteners 75 provides additional support to the wearer, thereby reducing the necessary tension of the strapless bra 10. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the embodiment allows for a wearer to simply disconnect the bralette 40 without having to remove the bra 10 and without necessarily having to remove any clothing that may lie over the bras, for example, merely by detaching fasteners 75 from anchors 30 and detaching fasteners 80 from anchors 70.

In developing the article subject to this invention, the inventors discovered that depending on the material of the bras and amount of coverage or support necessary, the bralette 40, particularly the front portion 60, could separate from the front surface of the strapless bra 10 and or the two may shift producing unwanted results. Because the goal of the instant invention is to be not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing, it was necessary to ensure that the garments, when combined, appear to be an intentional single article. Wherefore, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to include in the garments complimentary connectivity means that would reduce if not eliminate any gapping there between, or shift, be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of such a solution which includes arranging magnets on bra 10 at locations 120, 130 and 140, whereby 140 and 120 are disposed in the area about the location of the upper terminus of the optional underwire 20 and or about the outer edge of cups 15; and, whereby 130 is in a location on the gore 16 approximately equidistant between cups 15. The locations as disclosed were discovered to be ideal and minimal for providing esthetically pleasing close alignment and mutual support between the bra and bralette cups, especially in the embodiment when underwire is necessary. The magnets used by the inventors are neodymium magnets and were connected to the strapless bra 10 below the front surface so that they were not visible. In an embodiment, the magnets are housed within an enveloped material that is stitched to the underside of the strapless bra 10. FIG. 8 shows the complimentary arrangement of connectivity means, which includes magnets disposed below the front surface of the bralette 40 at locations 121, 131 and 141, specific to connect to magnets on the underlying strapless bra 10. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 7, magnets may be housed within an enveloped material that is then stitched to the underside of the bra 40 (see FIGS. 9-11). Of course the magnets are arranged so that the polarity allows the corresponding magnet pairs to attract.

It is an embodiment of the invention to provide a method of allowing a wearer to have multiple options of wearing the garments which includes having the ability to provide a strapless bra that can connect to different bralettes, for example to replace the bralette when a different design, color, style or support is desired by the wearer. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A garment comprising: a bra front portion; a bra side band extending from each respective side of the bra front portion to a respective distal end; a bra fastening arrangement operable to join the respective distal ends of the bra side bands for releasably securing the garment to a torso of an individual wearing the garment, a position of the garment on the individual wearing the garment defining inner and outer surfaces of the garment; and an anchor disposed at an outer surface of each of the bra side bands for optional attachment of a bralette.
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising the bralette, the bralette comprising: a bralette front portion; a bralette side band extending from each respective side of the bralette front portion to a respective distal end; at least one strap extending from the bralette front portion to a respective one of the bralette side bands; and a fastener attached at each bralette side band distal end, the fasteners configured to be releasably engaged with the respective anchors.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the bra front portion comprises a pair of cups interconnected by a bra gore and the bralette front portion comprises a pair of cups interconnected by a bralette gore, and further comprising: a magnet pair disposed at the bra gore and the bralette gore respectively for releasably interconnecting the bra front portion and the bralette front portion.
 4. The garment of claim 3, further comprising a magnet pair disposed at respective outer edges of each of the pair of bra cups and bralette cups for releasably interconnecting the bra cups and the bralette cups.
 5. The garment of claim 4, wherein at least one of the bra cups and the bralette cups comprise underwire support, and wherein the magnet pair disposed at respective outer edges of each of the pair of bra cups and bralette cups is disposed proximate an upper terminus of the respective underwire support.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the anchors are disposed proximate the distal ends of the respective bra side bands.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the anchors comprise a width that is smaller than a width of the respective bra side bands and are located proximate a bottom thereof.
 8. A garment comprising: a bra comprising opposed bra side bands releasably connectable at respective distal ends; an anchor disposed at an outer surface of each of the bra side bands; a bralette comprising opposed bralette side bands; and a fastener attached to each bralette side band, the fasteners configured to be releasably engaged with the respective anchors to interconnect the bra and bralette.
 9. The garment of claim 8, further comprising an adapter comprising fasteners at opposed ends, the adapter fasteners configured to be releasably engaged with the fasteners attached to the bralette side band.
 10. The garment of claim 8, further comprising: the bra comprises a pair of cups interconnected by a bra gore; the bralette comprising a pair of cups interconnected by a bralette gore; and a magnet pair disposed at the bra gore and the bralette gore respectively for releasably interconnecting the bra and the bralette.
 11. The garment of claim 10, further comprising a magnet pair disposed at respective outer edges of each of the pair of bra cups and bralette cups for releasably interconnecting the bra cups and the bralette cups.
 12. The garment of claim 11, wherein at least one of the bra cups and the bralette cups comprise underwire support, and wherein the magnet pair disposed at respective outer edges of each of the pair of bra cups and bralette cups is disposed proximate an upper terminus of the respective underwire support.
 13. The garment of claim 8, wherein the anchors are disposed proximate distal ends of the respective bra side bands.
 14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the anchors comprise a width that is smaller than a width of the respective bra side bands and are located proximate a bottom thereof.
 15. A garment comprising: a bralette front portion comprising a pair of bralette cups joined at a gore; a bralette side band extending from each respective side of the bralette front portion to a respective distal end; at least one strap extending from the bralette front portion to a respective one of the bralette side bands; a fastener attached at each bralette side band distal end; a magnet disposed at the gore; and a magnet disposed at respective outer edges of each of the pair of bralette cups.
 16. The garment of claim 15, further comprising an adapter comprising fasteners at opposed ends, the adapter fasteners configured to be releasably engaged with the respective fasteners at the bralette side band distal ends. 